so – spent the day getting ready for the shoot – first of all search for tripod – its in the office a Organhaus. Test the tripod – then search for lights – no lights anywhere – so went to the shop – bought a 200 watt globe and then the guy added a plug to it. 10 RMB. There is the light. Just to light up the face a bit. I bought some tracing paper to diffuse it. I positioned the tripod about 3 meters from the wall. The aim was not to move the tripod and do a continuous shoot for twenty minutes.. I asked She to tell them to slowly move to the tripod, as if the camera was the body.
The two professional funeral criers arrived at 2pm. They look at the set up and say ‘its too close’ if you need us to do a long song, we need to slowly make our way to the camera, and we need a longer way. So, moved the camera back, but then had to compensate with a bit of a zoom as the wall wasn’t wide enough. They told me they collapse to their knees – so needed to lower the tripod. They get changed into the traditional outfit and seem ready to begin.
Wow – what performers – starting off with a slow speech, it then they fall to the ground, which moves onto to arms wailing and then singing and moaning that had such an intensity – there is no way that my mic could have handled it. My ears were hardly about to handle the intensity. They slowly make there way forward after much dramatic movement – throwing themselves on the ground. Wow, I don’t know what I was expecting, but I was a bit stunned. I said I wanted a continuous 20 minutes, and after this was agreed with, the first lady stops after 12 minutes and says ‘thats the end of the song’. They wiped there tears and went to get changed. I need another session, so she did another session of about ten minutes. Then the man did his version – about 15 minutes, then about 6 minutes. It was quite incredible to watch – I am not sure what this will become – some sort of video installation – The footage has turned out well – the focus points were hard as they kept moving, and the sound too loud, but we have another shoot tomorrow for two more funeral criers. I feel a bit exhausted after seeing the performance. But feel excited that we have begun the shoot. I think the plain back ground works. We exchanged money. They tell me they work everyday, and also are opera performers.
I have she to translate the video.
